MESA, Ariz. — Bruce Nelson, a Mesa native, curated an art exhibit featuring women from Washington Park, a small neighborhood north of downtown Mesa.
The exhibit, titled “The Matriarchs of Washington Park," highlights Black women in Washington Park that served as leaders during segregation.
The pictured women, painted by three local artists, are women whom the 68-year-old Nelson grew up with. The women’s family members wrote their biographies that are placed next to their portraits.
“Many people don’t know Mesa was a segregated community,” said Nelson.
But Nelson says the 16 women pictured pushed the community forward.
“Many of these women worked in the cotton fields and cleaned White people’s houses and they would say you have to do better,” said Nelson. “You hear the old thing- it takes a village to raise a child. This is what it was.”
He hopes to ensure these women and their stories are celebrated.
You can catch the exhibit at the Mesa Public Library until June 23, then you can see it at the Mesa Historical Museum until June 30th.
Nelson also made a documentary about Washington Park, named North Town.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
Get to know 12 News
At 12 News, we listen, we seek, we solve for all Arizonans. 12 News is the Phoenix NBC affiliate owned by TEGNA Inc.
12 News is built on a legacy of trust. We serve more than 4.6 million people every month on air, on our 12 News app, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and 12News.com.
We are committed to serving all of the Valley's communities, because we live here, too.
12 News is the Official Home of the Arizona Cardinals and the proud recipient of the 2018 Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Overall Excellence.
Stay connected by downloading the 12 News app, available on Google Play and the Apple Store. Catch up on any stories you missed on the show on the 12 News Youtube channel. Read content curated for our Spanish-speaking audience on the Español page. Or see us on the 12 News Plus app available on Roku or Amazon Fire.